The voltage across a membrane forming a cell wall is 80.0 mV and the membrane is 8.80 nm thick. What is the electric field strength? (The value is surprisingly large, but correct. Membranes are discussed in Section 19.7* of the textbook.) You may assume a uniform E-field.
To find the electric field strength, we can use the formula:
Electric field strength (E) = Voltage (V) / Distance (d)
Given:
Voltage (V) = 80.0 mV = 0.08 V
Distance (d) = 8.80 nm = 8.80 x 10^(-9) m
Now, we can substitute these values into the formula to find the electric field strength:
E = 0.08 V / (8.80 x 10^(-9) m)
To simplify the units, we can express V in terms of mV:
E = (0.08 x 10^(-3) V) / (8.80 x 10^(-9) m)
Now, let's perform the division:
E = 9.09 x 10^3 V/m (or N/C)
Therefore, the electric field strength across the membrane forming the cell wall is 9.09 x 10^3 V/m (or N/C).